2 Timothy 3.1-9

In the last section Paul identified the source of the false teaching as ultimately demonic. The false teachers which plague the Church are in fact ensnared by the devil. They are captives to do his will. And thus we learn something of Satan's tactics. The danger to the Church is not so much overt paganism or even the secular humanism of our day but the false gospel which looks true but in fact is something else. It builds on speculation, diverts the attention of the flock away from Christ, and perverts and destroys the Christian life. Paul deals with this in his other epistles and Timothy has heard it before as well. This came up in the first epistle with regard to ascetic practices and Christian piety rooted in such exercises.

But now Paul takes it a step further. He's getting ready to depart the scene and wants Timothy to mark well the fact that this demonic activity, this false Christianity is something that will be characteristic of the entire age.

2 Timothy 2.20-26

Expanding on his illustration regarding the solid foundation established and sealed by God, Paul speaks of a great house. What's he referring to? At first it's not entirely clear and his illustration seems to break down or get side tracked.